Absolutely Fabulous - BBC1 Sitcom - British Comedy Guide (original) (raw)

  1. 17th June: Jesse Tyler Ferguson addresses being cut from Absolutely Fabulous cameo scene (The Independent)

Absolutely Fabulous. Image shows from L to R: Edina (Jennifer Saunders), Patsy (Joanna Lumley). Copyright: Saunders And French Productions / BBC

Genre

Sitcom

Broadcast

1992 - 2012

Channels

BBC 1, BBC 2

Episodes

39 (5 series), plus 2 short specials

Creators

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders

Stars

Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Julia Sawalha, June Whitfield and Jane Horrocks

Writers

Jennifer Saunders and Sue Perkins

Directors

Bob Spiers, Christine Gernon and Dewi Humphreys

Producers

Jon Plowman, Jonathan Paul Llewellyn and Jo Sargent

Companies

Absolutely Fabulous centres around the work of wealthy international public relations maven Edina Monsoon, her decadent lifestyle and dysfunctional family.

Baby-boomer Edina's self-indulgent, substance abusing behaviour is contrasted by and frequently comes into conflict with her sensible, practical, Generation X daughter Saffron.

The tension is increased by the involvement of Edina's ruthless, parasitic bitch-fashionista best friend Patsy Stone, who vies with Saffron for Edina's attention and leads and encourages Edina in her outrageously irresponsible behaviour. Patsy's extreme substance abuse far outstrips even Edina's.

The bizarre family unit who comprise the core cast also includes Edina's indifferent and emotionally distant Mother - a partially senile old woman who delights in pointing out her flaws, stealing from her and enjoying her luxurious lifestyle. She is far more connected to Saffron. Also present is Edina's supremely incompetent secretary and personal assistant Bubble - who often seems confused by simple concepts and is disrespectful of her employer. She is kept on for the aesthetic merit of her bizarre outfits and because the work-shy Edina looks competent and efficient by comparison.

Throughout the series Edina and Patsy embark on a kaleidoscope of self-involved, attention seeking escapades in the fast world of the rich and famous - often dragging the family along for the ride.

There are regular appearances from other bizarre and quirky members of the extended family as well as outlandish friends and associates, and real-life celebrities.

Based on a French & Saunders Series 3 sketch, the show and character of Edina are said to have been inspired by PR consultant Lynne Franks.

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Additional details

Also known as

Production setting

Studio

Camera set-up

Multi-camera

Picture

Colour

Soundtrack

Theme tune This Wheel's On Fire was composed by Simon Brint and sung by Julie Driscoll and Adrian Edmondson. Driscoll's vocals were replaced by Debbie Harry's during Series 4 and 5.

Broadcast details

First broadcast

Thursday 12th November 1992 at 9pm on BBC Two

Next repeats

  1. Series 1, Episode 1: Tuesday 1st July at 11:40pm on U&Gold
  2. Series 1, Episode 1: Wednesday 2nd July at 3am on U&Gold
  3. Series 1, Episode 2: Thursday 3rd July at Midnight on U&Gold
  4. Series 1, Episode 4: Friday 4th July at Midnight on U&Gold
  5. Series 1, Episode 5: Saturday 5th July at Midnight on U&Gold

Most recent repeats

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Recording details